The police and crime commissioner for Suffolk has put forward plans to increase voter turnout after only 22.9% took voted in the May elections. 

Tim Passmore was elected as Suffolk police and crime commissioner for a fourth term earlier this year, with a majority of more than 11,000. 

However, turnout for the election was low with just 131,752 voting out of nearly 600,000 were eligible to take part. 

In a pre-meeting report for a police and crime panel meeting at Suffolk County Council, Mr Passmore set out his plans to raise the profile of his role. 

The report states: "Democratic accountability is fundamental to the role of PCC, being a conduit for the public to raise concerns.

"The panel would like to explore how the PCC ensures engagement with all areas of the community, including hard-to-reach groups such as those from the black community and those living rurally."

The panel aims to form a new community policing team to improve trust and build public confidence in the role of police and crime commissioner. 

Plans include new community engagement stratergy.Plans include a new community engagement strategy. (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

A new engagement strategy will be developed to allow officers to spend more time with their “own” communities so that they can build better relationships with local people.

A redesigned local policing plan will also be rolled out creating 50 new community policing areas with 80 community policing officers across Suffolk.

The panel also wants to give more publicity to public events making them more accessible to the public and hopes local councillors will be able to help with a communications strategy.

The measures will be discussed at Suffolk police and crime panel on Friday July 12.